Depression and Cannabis

[lustypianist]

I suffer from depression and anxiety, and I have tried many different medications for it, none of which have worked.

At this time I really can't function anywhere near what people would consider normal. A simple task puts me into a panic, and more then one task at a time is completely impossible for me to handle.

I'm 18 years old, I had to drop out of high school and get my GED because of my problem. I have never smoked in my life, but from what i've read, cannabis could really help me where all of the other medications have failed (lexapro, klonopin, zoloft, paxil, and others), because I know i can not keep living like I am if I am to ever have a fulfilling, happy life.

So I'm wondering if I could even be considered for a MMJ license, and if so, maybe some advice on asking my parents (who are by no means up tight, but might not be too keen to the idea right away) about exploring this option. Do you think MMJ would even help my situation at all?

Also, is getting MMJ from a co-op the same as getting it from a dealer the same product wise, i.e.: does it come in pill form from a co-op?

Any information would be really helpful, and appreciated.

EDIT: Thought I'd mention I live in California.

[Ghengis Chron]

I also suffer from anxiety, it's nowhere near as debilitating as you describe, but I do take klonopin when I'm feeling exceptionally anxious, and that helps me a lot.

I would say try smoking weed at least once and then decide. Sometimes it makes me more anxious, so I dunno. I guess you really just have to try it out for yourself.

Good luck.

[killerweed420]

I think it would depend on which state and what doctor you have to be able to get a MMJ.
It depends on what strain you get whether it helps with your anxiety and depression. I think probably all weed is good for depression. I've never met a sad person under the influence of pot. You might have to try some different strains to find one that really helps you. Good luck.

[ukmonkey]

its a risk. I wouldn't reccomend, cannabis is well known for exaccerbating a variety of psychological conditions, do you have an addictive personality?

[lustypianist]

Nope, I actually have a pretty stand-offish type of personality. I'm not afraid of getting addicted, I just don't want to aggravate my anxiety or depression.

[Coelho]

Well... i was, during good part of my life, mildly depressive. I never had the need of taking any meds, or even to going to a doctor, but i know i was unhappier than most people i knew.
Then, i started to smoke and my life changed. I started to see the life in completly new ways, i could see what were the things that did make me unhappy, i could deal with a lot of bad feelings i got... and now, after some 3 years of smoking, im a VERY happy person... i could say im one of the happiest persons i ever met... completly the opposite of what i was before smoking. So, in my own case, the weed worked very well curing my depressive nature.
But there is some cautions you must have. Ive noted that sometimes pure indica strains make me not only mellow and couchlocked, but also a bit depressed... what dont happens when the strains have some sativa mixed in it.
However, if the weed were pure sativa, i feel somewhat paranoid, and i think it would not be nice to feel it if you have anxiety.
So, when you were to smoke, try to get a mixed strain (which is the more common), with both sativa and indica varieties, so the effects will be the best ones for you.
And i would suggest to you try it with some friends before asking for MMJ. Being high is a thing we learn, so i think its better to be with someone experienced during your first times, so they can guide and help you. And, also, being high with a couple of friends is always a LOT of fun...
So, good luck, i hope you smoke very soon, and enjoy it... cause its one of the best things in the world! :thumbsup::stoned::rastasmoke::jointsmile:

[GreenLadyOfDankDowns]

One thing you might consider before taking the mj plunge; Some people find that in addition to the many beneficial effects of cannabis, they also become more susceptible to bouts of paranoia. So it might help you, but it also has the potential to make your anxiety worse.

[snowblind]

I also suffer from anxiety, it's nowhere near as debilitating as you describe, but I do take klonopin when I'm feeling exceptionally anxious, and that helps me a lot.

I would say try smoking weed at least once and then decide. Sometimes it makes me more anxious, so I dunno. I guess you really just have to try it out for yourself.

Good luck.

that completes depends on the individuals state of mind in dealing with it.

thats like saying, well i was in a car accident and i didnt need a wheelchair afterwards like you described.

[lustypianist]

Well I think I'll give it a try. None of my friends smoke, but I know if I get some they would do it with me, and hopefully it'll be a good time. Unfortunately that means I don't currently know of anywhere to get any mj, but I'm sure I can find it somewhere (kind of stoner town).

[StemSeed]

GreenLAdy and Coelho are spot on. I would just add that try it more then once with the different strains stated above (indica, sativa, and mixed). It would help to have someone experienced there for you to help teach you, and you might also grow to enjoy the company of smokers :) . Especially if you have trouble making and keeping friends.

They are usually good people.

Cheers :smokin:
-Stem

[Chieftain WeedGuyver]

I used to suffer from chronic depression during my highschool years. Similar to you, I was on MANY antidepressants, and I almost had to drop out of school, but was lucky enough to change schools to one that let me do the work without having to go to the classes (Which I surprisingly passed with an A)

At 17, I decided that antidepressants weren't doing anything to me except make me feel like a zombie, with emotions but without able to let them out. Once I stopped my antidepressants (About 4 high dosed ones, don't remember the names) cold turkey, it made me MUCH happier.

Needless to say, I went back to my shrink after that and told him about it, and he said my depression was gone.

I still suffer from mild depression, I'm pretty sure it's the normal type that hits people every now and then as I don't feel as bad as I used to. This, though, never happens if I got some cannabis with me.

I usually smoke all day, every day, which makes me the happiest mofo in the planet. I've smoked all sorts, regs to chronic and some exotic stuff and none of them has made me more depressed than I can get while sober.

The key to keeping anxiety to a minimum is to smoke at a place where you will be completely relaxed and won't fear of anyone finding you and ruining your day.

Also, I don't know if you drive or not, but if you started smoking I'd wait a while (I waited a couple of months) to get used to being high before you get behind the wheel, and try to keep that to a minimum. If you're going to drive while high, smoke very little so it won't slow you down and will relax you. In my case, if I'm going to be driving I take a hit or two of some decent quality bud.

Also remember to go slow at first. Take a couple of hits and if you don't feel anything, take a couple more. The first time some people have said that they don't feel anything, as it happened to a friend. I did feel it the first time, and to fix my friend's trip I told him to smoke a cigarette (which he does smoke, so don't do this if you don't), but to do it slowly and enjoy it. Needless to say within two drags of the cigarette he was wobbling all over the place.

Also, since you don't have any friends that have smoked before, rolling a J might not be a good start. You could try making an apple pipe, it will cool the smoke and make it taste better too. And remember that if you need to learn how to roll or something, google is your friend.

Sorry for the long post, and I hope cannabis can help you like it did me and many others.

Peace.